Floatation sleep system

ABSTRACT

An improved floatation sleep system of universal type wherein the bladder may be readily replaced. Such system comprises a marginal perimeter support including .[.a continuous.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.elongated chamber. The chamber has a plurality of cells, the interior of which are respectively readily accessible to supply perimeter support means such as support material or pressurized air. A first flexible, dimensionally stable, fluid impervious sheet is connected to an upper portion of the elongated chamber. This sheet is of an overall dimension greater than the distance between opposed portions of such chamber, and less than the distance between opposed portions plus twice the vertical height of such chamber. A second flexible, dimensionally stable sheet extends between the opposed portions of such chamber. This second sheet is connected to the upper portion of at least a part of such chamber and is readily releasably secured to the remaining part of such chamber to provide access to an interior chamber formed by the first and second sheets. A bladder, adapted to contain body supporting means, is readily removably located in such interior chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Related U.S. Patent Application

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 450,022 filed Dec. 15, 1982 in the name of P. J. Santo nowabandoned.

This invention relates generally to floatation sleep systems, and moreparticularly to an improved universal sleep system.

Floatation sleep systems, commonly referred to as waterbeds, have becomea popular alternative to conventional bedding. Such popularity is due tothe fact that waterbeds provide totally balanced body support which hasbeen found to induce a superior state of relaxation. The first waterbedswere free standing, flexible bladders filled with water. However, sincethe free standing bladder was flexible in all directions, it wasnecessary that it have a vertical dimension (height) to prevent"bottoming out" when the body was supported on the bladder. This heightmade it awkward to get on and off the bladder, and the fact that theside walls of the bladder were flexible made sitting on the edgedifficult. Therefore, a rigid frame was added, the frame being locatedaround the lateral marginal edges of the flexible bladder. While theframe supported the bladder to maintain a desired height and preventbottoming out, sitting on the edge and getting in and out of thewaterbed over the frame was still uncomfortable.

In order to improve the comfort of the waterbed, the frame was replacedby a compressible air chamber along the lateral marginal edges of theflexible bladder, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,778,852 issued Dec.18, 1983 in the name of Penn et al, and 4,079,473 issued Mar. 21, 1978in the name of Philips, for example. The air chamber provided comfortwhen entering and exiting the bed and when sitting on the edge thereof,and in addition maintained the fluid bladder at a desired height toprevent bottoming out.

Additionally, the structure of the liquid-containing bladder of thefloatation sleep system has been in a continuing state of advancementfor the purpose of perfecting the quality of relaxation of the system.For example, baffles of different configurations have been added to thebladders to dampen the motion of the liquid within the bladder. One ofthe most recent advances in bladder construction to dampen liquid motionis the addition of materials such as foam or expanded fiber fill (see,for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,560, issued Nov. 24, 1981 in the nameof Fraige). However, no matter what the bladder configuration, theoverall sleep system is of unitary construction, that is all of itscomponents are structurally interrelated and thus indivisable.Therefore, if an improvement comes along in the bladder or perimetersupport construction, or one's desires for overall systemcharacteristics changes, the whole system has to be changed. Thisresults in the unduly expensive proposition of replacing the entiresystem or putting off changing to a system that would otherwise providephysiological or psychological benefits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an improved floatation sleep system ofuniversal type wherein the bladder may be readily replaced. Such systemcomprises a marginal perimeter support including .[.a continuous.]..Iadd.an .Iaddend.elongated chamber. The chamber has a plurality ofcells, the interior of which are respectively readily accessible tosupply perimeter support means such as support material or pressurizedair. A first flexible, dimensionally stable, fluid impervious sheet isconnected to an upper portion of the elongated chamber. This sheet is ofan overall dimension greater than the distance between opposed portionsof such chamber, and less than the distance between such opposedportions plus twice the vertical height of such chamber. A secondflexible, dimensionally stable sheet extends between the opposedportions of such chamber. This second sheet is connected to the upperportion of at least a part of such chamber and is readily releasablysecured to the remaining part of such chamber to provide access to aninterior chamber formed by the first and second sheets. A bladder,adapted to contain body supporting means, is readily removably locatedin such interior chamber.

The invention, and its objects and advantages, will become more apparentin the detailed description of the preferred embodiments presentedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of theinvention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top-front isometric view, with portions removed tofacilitate viewing of the improved universal floatation sleep systemaccording to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top-front isometric view similar to FIG. 1 in cross-sectionto facilitate the showing of the elements of the sleep system accordingto this invention;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section of a portion of the improved universalfloatation sleep system taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, in cross-section of a portion of analternative embodiment of the improved universal floatation sleep systemaccording to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the improved universalfloatation sleep system is designated generally by the numeral 10. Thisimproved sleep system (waterbed) 10 includes a fluid-containing bladder12 and a marginal perimeter support 14 for such bladder. While suchelements are the .[.principle.]. .Iadd.principal .Iaddend.elements ofany air chamber sleep system of the prior art, their construction asdescribed hereinbelow provides the universiality of this invention;i.e., the ability of the sleep system 10 to adapt to the state of thefloatation sleep art without requiring the purchase and replacement ofthe system with an entirely new system.

The perimeter support 14 is a substantially continuous elongated chamber16 formed of flexible, dimensionally stable material such aspolyethelene or polypropelene for example. The chamber 16 is configuredto conform to the general shape of the bladder which it is intended tosupport. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the overall configuration of the chamber 16 isrectangular, but other shapes such as square or circular for examplewould be suitable. The chamber 16 defines a plurality of independentcells 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d. The independent cells may be individuallysealed, such as by transverse sheets of flexible, dimensionally stablematerial and include valves for respectively pressurizing such cells asshown in my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 450,023 filedDec. 15, 1982 .Iadd.now U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,036.Iaddend.. Alternatively,the cells may form independent receptacles for removable supportmaterial containing .[.or.]. pressurized air tubes such as shown in myU.S. Pat. No. 4,181,990 issued Jan. 8, 1980, for example. If the cellsaccept removable tubes, the chamber 16 has openings 18 formed at theadjacent .[.intersectionse.]. .Iadd.intersections .Iaddend.of theindependent cells. The openings are .[.releasable.]. .Iadd.releasably.Iaddend.secured by mating closure members 20, 22 such as releasablyinterlocking material hook and loop type fasteners, such as sold underthe trademark VELCRO for example. In either instance the elongatedchamber 16 is capable of being changed in accordance with advances inthe state of the perimeter support art without necessitating thereplacement of the entire system 10.

A first sheet 24 of flexible, dimensionally stable, fluid imperviousmaterial (e.g., similar to that making up the elongated chamber 16) isconnected along edge 24a to the bottom portion of the elongated chamber16 (see FIG. 3), such as by heat sealing for example. A second sheet 26of similar material is similarly connected along edge 26a to the topportion of the elongated chamber 16 to form a bladder receiving cavity.The sheet 26 has transverse overall dimensions, between opposed marginaledges (e.g., edges connected to independent cells 16a, 16c, and edgesconnected to independent cells 16b, 16d), greater than the distancebetween the opposed portions of the elongated chamber 16 and less thanthe distance between such opposed portions plus twice the verticalheight of such chamber. A third sheet 28 of similar material extendsacross the elongated chamber 16. The sheet 28 is similarly connectedalong an edge 28a to a portion of the elongated chamber 16 outwardly ofedge 26a, such portion being substantially less than the full perimeterof the chamber 16 of such chamber. For the remaining portion of theperimeter, the sheet 28 is releasably secured to the chamber by matingclosure members 30, 32, such as releasably interlocking material hookand loop type fasteners, such as sold under the trademark VELCRO forexample. Of course, the sheet 28 may be releasably secured to thechamber 16 about is full perimeter such as by a draw string for example.The sheets 26 and 28 thus form a readily accessible chamber 34 adaptedto receive and support the bladder 12.

Further, in the alternate embodiment of the floatation sleep system 10according to this invention in FIG. 4, the sheet 28 may be replaced bystrip of flexible dimensionally stable material 28'. The material 28' isconnected along one edge 28b' directly to the bladder 12 such as by heatsealing for example. The opposite edge 28a' is releasably secured to thechamber 16 by interlocking material similar to that mentioned above. Ofcourse, the material 28' could be connected to the chamber 16 andreleasably secured to the bladder 12. With this arrangement, the bladderis readily receivable in the cavity formed by sheet 26 and, when soreceived, is held in juxtaposition with the chamber 16 by the material28'. If desired in this alternate embodiment an additional sheet ofmaterial may be releasably secured to the perimeter of the chamber 16and extend across, or be releasably connected to, the upper portion ofthe bladder 12. Such material encloses the bladder and/or prevents thebladder from pulling away from the chamber 16 when one sits on the edgeof the sleep system 10.

The bladder 12 is formed of a sheet of flexible, dimensionally stable,fluid impervious material, such as polypropelene or polyethelene forexample. The bladder is typically filled with fluid, such as water, andmay include any of a variety of mechanisms to inhibit motion of thewater induced by movement of a body on the system 10. The motioninhibiting mechanisms may include for example, baffles, fibrousmaterial, or foam material. As discussed above, the art of motioninhibiting mechanisms is under a continuing state of change withadvances being made all the time. A .[.principle.]. .Iadd.principal.Iaddend.advantage of this invention is that forming the system 10 witha readily accessible chamber for the bladder 12, enables any particularbladder to be exchanged for a different and improved bladder withoutreplacing the entire system.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the fluid within the bladder 12, located in thechamber 34, exhibits an internal pressure designated by the arrows F₁.The fluid pressure F₁ acts on the walls of the bladder and, along withthe weight of the fluid filled bladder, on sheet 26 to, inturn, exert aforce, designated by the arrow F₂ on the upper portion of the chamber 16of the marginal perimeter support 14. Such force F₂ thus acts toeffectively hold the marginal perimeter support in operative supportingrelation with the bladder 12. This also serves to maintain the overallshape of the system 10 to its desired configuration (e.g., therectangular prism as shown in FIG. 1).

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

I claim:
 1. An improved floatation sleep system comprising:means forsupporting a human body; means for forming a marginal perimeter supportfor said body supporting means, said support means including .[.acontinuous.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.elongated chamber; a first flexible,dimensionally stable, fluid impervious sheet connected to an upperportion of said elongated chamber, such sheet being of an overalldimension greater than the distance between opposed portions of suchchamber and less than the distance between such opposed portions plustwice the vertical height of such chamber; and a second flexible,dimensionally stable sheet extending between opposed portions of saidelongated chamber, said second sheet being integrally connected to anupper portion of a part of such chamber and readily releasably securedto the remaining part of such upper portion; whereby said first andsecond sheets form a completely enclosed interior chamber adapted toreceive and contain said body supporting means, such interior chamberbeing accessible through such releasably secured part of said secondsheet and said elongated chamber.
 2. The invention of claim 1 whereinsaid elongated chamber of said marginal perimeter support means includesa plurality of interconnected cells, said cells including means forreadily accessing the interior of such cells respectively to supplyperimeter support material thereto.
 3. The invention of claim 1 whereinsaid elongated chamber of said marginal perimeter support means includesa plurality of interconnected cells, said cells including means forreadily accessing the interior of such cells respectively to supplypressurized air thereto.
 4. A floatation sleep system having a bodysupporting bladder and a marginal perimeter support for such bladder,said floatation sleep system being of a universal construction so as toenable the ready interchange of bladders and marginal perimetersupports, said system comprising:a bladder receiving chamber formed offlexible dimensionally stable material and including means for readilyaccessing the interior of such chamber to enable a bladder to beinserted therein; and .[.a continuous.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.elongatedchamber surrounding the marginal perimeter of said bladder receivingchamber and including means for readily accessing the interior thereofto supply a bladder marginal perimeter support thereto, said.[.continuous.]. elongated chamber connected at its upper portion to theupper portion of said bladder receiving chamber, said .[.continuous.].elongated chamber and said bladder receiving chamber being of respectivedimensions such that said bladder receiving chamber is suspended by said.[.continuous.]. elongated chamber whereby, when a bladder is insertedin said bladder receiving chamber and a marginal perimeter support isinserted in said .[.continuous.]. elongated chamber, the weight of suchbladder exerts a force through said bladder receiving chamber on the.[.continuous.]. elongated chamber to hold such marginal perimetersupport in effective support relation to such bladder.
 5. The inventionof claim 4 wherein said .[.continuous.]. elongated chamber includesmeans for dividing such chamber into a plurality of opposed independentcells, and said means for readily accessing the interior of saidelongated chamber includes means for supplying bladder marginalperimeter support to each of said independent cells.
 6. The invention ofclaim 5 wherein said bladder receiving chamber includes a sheet offlexible, dimensionally stable material connected to an upper portion ofsaid cells and extending therebetween for supporting a fluid filledbladder, such sheet being of an overall dimension greater than thedistance between opposed cells and less than the distance between suchopposed cells plus twice the vertical height of such cells, whereby theweight of a bladder supported by such sheet exerts forces through suchsheet on said cells to urge such cells into marginal perimeter supportwith such bladder.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said bladderreceiving chamber further includes a second sheet of flexible,dimensionally stable material extending between said cells, means forconnecting said second sheet to an upper portion of at least twoadjacent cells, and means for readily releasably securing said secondsheet to a side portion of at least two adjacent cells.
 8. The inventionof claim 7 wherein said readily releasably securing means is releasablemating closure members secured to such cells and such second sheetrespectively.
 9. The invention of claim 4 wherein said bladder receivingchamber includes first and second sheets of flexible dimensionallystable material, said first sheet being connected to the upper portionof said continuous elongated chamber and adapted to support a fluidfilled bladder, and said second sheet being connected to an upperportion of at least a part of said elongated chamber; and wherein saidmeans for readily accessing the interior of said bladder receivingchamber includes means for readily releasably securing said second sheetto the remaining part of said elongated chamber.
 10. The invention ofclaim 9 wherein the dimension of said first sheet is greater than thedistance between opposed portions of said elongated chamber, and lessthan the distance between such opposed portions plus twice the verticalheight of such chamber, whereby the weight of a bladder supported bysuch first sheet exerts forces through such sheet on said elongatedchamber to maintain such chamber in operative marginal perimeter supportwith such bladder.
 11. A floatation sleep system for supporting a humanbody comprising:means for forming a marginal perimeter support, saidsupport means including .[.a continuous.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.elongatedchamber; a flexible, dimensionally stable, fluid impervious sheetconnected to an upper portion of said elongated chamber, such sheetbeing of an overall dimension greater than the distance between opposedportions of such chamber and less than the distance between such opposedportions plus twice the vertical height of such chamber to define abladder receiving cavity; and a readily removable bladder, adapted tocontain body supporting means, located in said cavity.
 12. The inventionof claim 11 further including:means secured to at least a portion of theperimeter of said chamber and extending at least partially betweenopposed portions of said chamber to retain said bladder within saidcavity.
 13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said retaining meansincludes a flexible, dimensionally stable sheet extending fully betweenopposed portions of said chamber and releasably secured to the fullperimeter thereof.
 14. The invention of claim 12 wherein said retainingmeans includes a flexible, dimensionally stable strip of materialconnected to the upper portion of said bladder, said material beingadapted to be releasably secured to the full perimeter of said chamber..Iadd.
 15. A floatation sleep system having a body-supporting bladderand a marginal perimeter support for such bladder, said systemcomprising:means, formed of a flexible dimensionally stable material,including first and second portions, said first portion defining acavity for receiving a body-supporting bladder and said second portiondefining a chamber for receiving a marginal perimeter support for suchbladder, said first and second portions being structurally interrelatedsuch that said first portion is suspended by said second portion, sothat when a bladder is received in said first portion and a marginalperimeter support is received in said second portion, the weight of saidbladder exerts a force through said first portion on said second portionto hold said marginal perimeter support in effective support relation tosaid bladder..Iaddend.